SAASL Premier League Preview 2016
THE 2016 SAASL season is upon us and as always it promises to be another exciting year.
It’s rare that a promoted side looks for anything more than survival but in 2016 Brahma Lodge (2015 Div 2 Champions) are being touted as almost certainties for the championship.
With quality such as Freddy Aguis, Robbie McDonald who netted 31 goals in 2015 and additions such as Chad Bugeja from White City and Michael Mullen from Adelaide City it’s hard to argue but Coach Ryan Mogg knows that the Premier division is a tough competitive league.
“We would like to think we can be very competitive against anyone. We have a really tough first month of the season with games against Farm, Downs, Grove and Inter which will give us a good guide as to where we are at.”
Ingle Farm won their first league championship in 2015 and are sure to be around the mark again with coach Paul Simpson having added some quality to an already strong squad with Shane Pearce and David Crowell both joining the Farmers from Parafield Gardens.
Simpson see’s last season as history “It’s always difficult to go back to back and with a few players in and out from last year’s squad it’s almost like we are starting again.”
Salisbury Inter, Elizabeth Grove and Elizabeth Downs are all harboring championship hopes and can’t be discounted while Elizabeth Vale are looking to build on 2015’s solid season with new coach Aaron Westerveldt at the helm.
Louis Brain has taken over the coaching role at Parafield Gardens in what may be a rebuilding year for a proud club that has lost a lot of talent in the off season.
Salisbury Florina is hopeful that the recruitment of Jason Trimboli will ensure enough goals to keep them in the Premier league while West Beach and new boys Tea Tree Gully appear likely to be part of the relegation battle.
The season kicks off in style on Sunday April 10th with Brahma Lodge meeting Ingle Farm in what’s sure to be a cracking game.
Salisbury Florina vs Parafield Gardens UNDERDOWN PARK #1
Elizabeth Vale vs Elizabeth Grove MOFFLIN RESERVE
West Beach vs Elizabeth Downs LOCKLEYS OVAL
Tea Tree Gully vs Salisbury Inter TILLEY RECREATION ...
Brahma Lodge v Ingle Farm COCKBURN GREEN
Elizabeth Downs
Coach- Alan Mottram
Last Season- 4th
Players in- Shaun Clarke (Angle Vale), Craig Johnston (Raiders), Jake Mottram (Para Hills), Matt Watson (Playford)
Players Out- Nathan Day (Retired), Michael Cartwright (Retired), Jason Trimboli (Salis Flor)
Club Comment- Alan Mottram- “We are certainly out to win it. We are happy with the squad and while we have lost some experience we are excited by the youth at the club who we believe are good enough to give it a real go.”
Key Player- Braiden Gundlach/Scott Lindsay “Both players will be pivotal to our hopes this year.”
Prediction- 5th Expect 2016 to be a rebuilding year for the Maroons with a number of experienced players departing and some young new arrivals joining the club. The Downs certainly have the quality to compete with anyone but maybe 12 months off a real title push.
Parafield Gardens
Coach- Louis Brain
Last Season- Runner Up
Players In- Angus Ducker (PHE)
Players Out- Shane Pearce (IF), Dave Crowell (IF), Angelo Arambatzis (Ret), Aaron Goulding (Ret), Dan Roadley (SI), Andy McConnell (SI), Brendon McConnell (PHE)
Coach Comment- “The club is going through a re-building phase but we have some really good young talent and I’m excited to see how they develop and progress throughout the season.”
Key Player- Callum Ebert “Callum is a 16 year old who has shown some really promising signs. He’s very mature for his age and I’m looking forward to watching him develop throughout the season.”
Prediction- 8th Gardens have lost a lot of experienced players and while they have some quality youth who will get an opportunity it looks to be a challenging year ahead for Louis Brain and his team. Gardens are a proud club and expect them to survive… just.
Ingle Farm
Coach- Paul Simpson
Last Season- Champions
Players In- Tony Shaw (Birkalla), Marcus Francessca (San Marco), Anthony Fedele (Fulham), David Crowell (PG), Shane Pearce (PG), Shane Winter (PHE)
Players Out- Chris Nicholls (Mt B), Alex Baxter (UK), Luke Air (PHW), Dave Ennis (IF)
Coach Comment- “When you win the league it’s always difficult to defend your title. Having lost a few players from last year will make it feel like we are starting again. Our feet are firmly on the ground.”
Key Player- David Crowell “We are really pleased to have David at the club. We think he will link really well with Jarred Noel in the midfield.”
Prediction- 2nd The 2015 Champions are sure to be in the mix for the title again this season. Coach Paul Simpson has brought some quality in with Shane Pearce and David Crowell to further strengthen the squad. Only doubt would be will there be any signs of a hangover after winning the clubs first Championship?
Salisbury Inter
Coach- Steve Cook
Last Season- 3rd
Players In- Andy McConnell (PG), Daniel Roadley (PG), Tommy Lee (Cobras), Steve Doolan (EV), Andrew Trimboli (Returned)
Players Out- Nick Sincock
Coach Comment- “I would be disappointed if we weren’t challenging for the championship this season. We have the talent and ability and I believe we have matured as a group but it’s a tough league and we will need to be mentally strong throughout the season.”
Key Player- Alban Martini “He showed last season what he is capable of.”
Prediction- 3rd Another team with quality all over the park. Steve Cook’s team have been building over past seasons and look primed for a tilt at the title. A good start will be crucial for a team who has struggled in recent seasons, can’t afford to play catch up as has been the case in the last two seasons.
West Beach
Coach- Bud Hilton
Last Season- 8th
Players In- Brendan Preston (Cumberland)
Players Out- nil
Coach Comment- “We are looking to avoid relegation this season. It’s a tough league and I think we will be evenly matched with 4 or 5 teams all looking to avoid the drop.”
Key Player- Ben Yolland “He’s an experienced player with a lot of drive and passion and we are hopeful that he will find the back of the net on a regular basis for us.”
Prediction- 10th 2015 was a tough year for Beach with only three wins and 16 goals in 18 league games. It’s hard not to see another battle to avoid the drop.
Salisbury Florina
Coach- Jeff McCormack
Last Season- 3rd 2nd division
Players In- Jason Trimboli (ED), Simon Wegener (Adel Wand), James Neeson (Adel Wand), Alex Djorem (Mod Jets)
Players Out- James Parker (IF), Nathan Condo-Evans (Ret)
Coach Comment- “We believe we have strengthened the squad well enough to finish mid table. We believe we are better prepared and more experienced than we were two seasons ago when we were relegated.”
Key Player- “Jason Trimboli will be a key but we are hopeful that our youngsters in Tom Stoneham and Brad Boocock can take another step up for us this season.”
Prediction- 7th A late promotion due to Fulham dropping out of the league would have most predicting a tough year ahead for Florina but the recruiting coup of Jason Trimboli should be enough to keep Florina in the top flight.
Elizabeth Vale
Coach- Aaron Westerveldt
Last Season- 7th
Players In- Chris Nicholls (Returned)
Players Out- Nil
Coach Comment- “We will be a well-organized team who will be hard to beat. I’m happy with the squad we have and I believe we are strong enough to push into the top 4.”
Key Player- James Greaves “He’s a very talented young player who will captain the club this season.”
Prediction- 6th The Vale surprised many in 2015 as the young energetic group finished mid table. With little change to the squad you would expect another mid table finish under new coach Aaron Westerveldt.
Brahma Lodge
Coach- Ryan Mogg
Last Season- Div 2 Champions
Players In- Mark Graham (Campbelltown), Jay Criscenzi (Mod Am), Chad Bugeja (White City), Bernar Tarabar & Beni Tarabar (Adel Vict), Michael Mullen (Adel City)
Players Out- Nil
Coach Comment- “We would like to think we can be very competitive against anyone. We have a really tough first month of the season with games against Farm, Downs, Grove and Inter which will give us a good guide as to where we are at.”
Key Player- Robbie McDonald “Robbie scored 31 goals for us last season and will be important for us again this season.”
Prediction- 1st It’s almost unheard of to talk about a promoted side as a title favorite but with the squad that Brahma have assembled they are a raging favorite prior to a ball being kicked. It won’t be the cake walk that some are suggesting but the tag as preseason favorite is hard to argue.
Elizabeth Grove
Coach- Shane Golder
Last Season- 5th
Players In- Anthony Costalos (Pt Pirates), Cameron Taylor (Playford), Boree Kieng (Returned), Rhys Knox (PG), Gaje Ferdinand
Players Out- Gerrard Ambassa, Ben DeBono
Club Comment- “We had a good season last year but fell away a little towards the end of the season, we have strengthened our squad and we are targeting winning a trophy in 2016.”
Key Player- Kahmen Grieg “He had a solid year last season but I think he is ready to take the next step and be a dominant player for us in 2016.”
Prediction- 4th- The Peckers have added some real depth to their squad and should continue their rise up the table in 2016. Shane Golder’s team will be tested with four away games in the first five rounds but if they can come through that and are in touch with the leaders then anything is possible.
Tea Tree Gully
Coach- Neville Flounders
Last Season- 2nd Div Runners Up
Players In- Rhys Devlin (Mod Jets Fed)
Players Out- Jordi Wild (Returned UK)
Coach’s Comment- “Our goal is to hang in there this season try and consolidate our place in the division and then look to build on that.”
Key Player- Rhys Devlin “We are looking for Rhys to be an attacking midfielder who can do some damage for us going forward.”
Prediction- 9th It’s always a tough ask for the promoted clubs in what is a super competitive league. Neville Flounders team are sure to be well organized but it’s hard to see them not being involved in the relegation battle.
Craig Lairds 2016 Sunday Premier League Review.
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